Top ten Red Sox who played in the Cape Cod Baseball League

As the days grow shorter and the breezes a bit cooler in the waning days of August, the Cape Cod Baseball League closes its doors after another 10-week season unlike anything you will experience anywhere else. The CCBL is home to some of the country’s top amateur baseball talent, competing for ten teams spread throughout the peninsula with names like Cotuit Kettleers and Chatham Anglers. From a bleacher seat at many a Cape League ballpark, you can smell the salt air or see the fog rolling in during the later innings.

1,073 Cape League alumni have gone on to play in the Major Leagues, a number for the nearby Boston Red Sox. Over the years, the Cape League has evolved from a town ball format comprised primarily of locals (for instance, my great-grandfather pitched in an early iteration of the Cape League) and occasional interlopers (such a Somerville, MA native and Baseball Hall of Famer, Harold “Pie” Traynor) to an invitation-only showcase for top collegiate talent. The “modern era” of the CCBL began around 1963.

And that’s where our story picks up: since then, dozens of future Boston Red Sox have toiled for a summer or two (or three) on the Cape – some just passing through, others racking up hardware and accolades along the way.

Jul 27, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame player Carlton Fisk responds to being introduced during the class of 2014 national baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Orleans – Carlton Fisk, C
Boston Red Sox, 1969, 1971-80
Orleans Firebirds, 1966

Fisk joined his brother Calvin in Orleans (then known as the Cardinals) in time for the 1966 Cape League playoffs and nailed a home run in his first at-bat. Sources were unable to confirm if he waved it fair. The University of New Hampshire product was among the torch bearers of collegiate talent coming to Cape Cod in the 60’s. He went on the become one of the greatest catchers in Major League history and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

“Pudge” is one of just three players who played in the Cape League, along with “Pie” Traynor and “The Big Hurt” Frank Thomas, to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

Nomar Garciaparra (’93), one of the most popular Red Sox in history, was elected to the Cape League Hall of Fame in 2002. The shortstop was the MVP of the ’93 Cape League champions, ranking among the top ten in hitting and swiping 17 bases during the brief summer season. His exploits won him the league’s 10th player award and put him squarely on the Red Sox’ radar.

Other Orleans alums with Boston connections include starter Erik Hanson (’84), who went 15-5 for the ’95 AL East champions, J.T. Snow (’88) and crotchety former Red Sox pitching coach Joe Kerrigan (’72).

1988 Ballpark Cape Cod Prospects

Chatham – Jeff Bagwell, 1B/3B
Boston Red Sox, minors
Chatham Anglers, 1987-88

It looks like Bagwell is on the path to Cooperstown. Oh, what could have been – the Red Sox dealt the University of Hartford product down the stretch in 1990 in exchange for proven relief hand Larry Andersen. Andersen was gone the following year; while Bagwell went on to clock 449 home runs in the Majors, all for Houston. Not the smoothest move by the pride of Stonehill College, Lou Gorman. In Gorman’s defense, Bagwell was blocked at first base by Mo Vaughn and the GM was dubious of his ability to play third, particularly with Tim Naehring and Scott Cooper also in the system at the time.

Before embarking on a Hall of Fame-worthy career, Bagwell was among the top talents on the Cape for two seasons and was featured in the only set of CCBL baseball cards, issued in 1988.

2007 World Series MVP and 2011 Cape League Hall of Fame inductee Mike Lowell (’94) also played for Chatham (known as the A’s prior to 2008), and reliever Andrew Miller (’04-’05) spent two seasons with the team and was elected to the league Hall of Fame in 2012.

The list of other Chatham alums that spent time with the Red Sox includes slugger Jason Bay (’99), long man Kyle Snyder (’98), and possibly the worst pinch-hitter in RBI Baseball, catcher Marc Sullivan (’78).

Oct 30, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (right) is chased by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams (left) in a run down in the fifth inning during game six of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Falmouth – Jacoby Ellsbury, OF
Boston Red Sox, 2007-13
Falmouth Commodores, 2004

Before the speedy Ellsbury took center stage at Fenway Park, he was part of the engine that pushed the Commodores to their first appearance in the Cape League finals since 1980. The Oregon State product earned an All-Star nod that season, swiping 12 bases in 15 attempts and displaying ridiculous range in the outfield.

Reportedly, Ellsbury attended a game at Fenway Park during his summer on the Cape and purchaed a Red Sox hat: a sign of things to come.

Relief pitcher David Aardsma (’02), a member of the Red Sox in 2008, was elected to the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2012. Other alumni include John Tudor (’75), woeful Sox catching acquisition Javy Lopez (’97), the equally woeful Kevin Cash (’99), and the original LOOGY Tony Fossas (’78).

Feb 21, 2014; Ft Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox special assistants to the general manager Jason Varitek (33) heads towards the practice field during spring training at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Hyannis – Jason Varitek, C
Boston Red Sox, 1997-2010
Hyannis Harbor Hawks, 1991, ‘93

Before he was captain of the Red Sox, before he caught four no-hitters and established a reputation as one of the best catchers in the Majors, Varitek spent two summers with the then-Hyannis Mets, his time split by a stint with Team USA. Varitek won the Cape League MVP and Thurman Munson Award in 1993 with a .371 average, getting on base more than 50% of the time. He was elected to the Cape League Hall of Fame in 2002.

Other distinguished Hyannis alumni include current Sox manager John Farrell (’82), recently-demoted center fielder Jackie Bradley (’09), 1990’s Sox infield cog John Valentin (’88), Varitek’s fellow backstop Doug Mirabelli (’90), infielder Eric Hinske (’97) and the legendary John “Way Back” Wasdin (’92), who gave up far too many long balls but will always be remembered for his incredible 7-0 start in 1999.

1991 Upper Deck

Wareham – Mo Vaughn, 1B
Boston Red Sox, 1991-98
Wareham Gatemen, 1987-88

The Norwalk, CT native and 1995 American League MVP was part of a renaissance period for the Cape League, when it went from being a summer option for top collegiate talent to a highly-exclusive showcase. Every Cape team in this era boasted multiple future Major Leaguers for the first time, and Vaughn, along with league batting champion Chuck Knoblauch, led the Gatemen to the Cape championship in 1988 over Frank Thomas’ Orleans Cardinals.

Vaughn was an All-Star and playoff MVP in ’88, rocking 17 doubles to tie for the team lead. He was inducted to the Cape League Hall of Fame in 2000.

Other notable Wareham alums with Red Sox ties include former hot prospects Justin Masterson and Daniel Bard, both members of the 2005 team, and catcher John Marzano (’82).

2003 Topps

Bourne – Kevin Youkilis, 1B/3B
Boston Red Sox, 2004-12
Bourne Braves, 2000

The popular corner infielder and member of two Red Sox World Series championship teams was an All-Star for Bourne during the summer of 2000, hitting .309 on the season. Appropriately, the “Greek God of Walks” also drew 40 free passes in 40 games played. Youk even flashed some speed on the base paths, swiping seven of nine bags and posting three triples on the campaign.

Fellow third baseman and member of the 2004 World Series champs Bill Mueller (‘92) also played for Bourne, as did infielder Lou Merloni (‘91) and outfielder Mark Kotsay (‘94).

1992 Upper Deck

Cotuit – Jeff Reardon, RP
Boston Red Sox, 1990-92
Cotuit Kettleers, 1974-76

The talented reliever from UMass Amherst via Dalton, MA saved 367 games in the Majors, including 88 in parts of three seasons with Boston. Reardon at one time held the all-time record for saves. He was on the mound for the final out of the 1987 World Series as a member of the Minnesota Twins and closed out the clinching game for the 1990 AL East title for the Sox.

Reardon spent three summers in Cotuit and credits the experience with getting him to the big leagues. He was inducted to the Cape League Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 2000.

Lou Merloni, the 1992 Cape League batting champion and a 2010 CCBL Hall of Fame inductee, also played for a summer in Cotuit after competing for Bourne the previous year.

Other Kettleer alumni to play for the Sox include 2004 World Series champions Mark Bellhorn (’93) and Dave McCarty (’89), outfielder Darren Bragg (’89) and infielder Tim Naehring (’87).

Oct 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former first baseman Kevin Millar catches a ball for the ceremonial first pitch with other members of the 2004 Boston Red Sox prior to game two of the MLB baseball World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Harwich – Kevin Millar, 1B/OF
Boston Red Sox 2003-05
Harwich Mariners 1992

The Mariners don’t boast a strong resume of future Red Sox talents – it’s just Millar, catcher Kelly Shoppach (’00), relief bust Craig Hansen (’04), and Haverhill, MA native Carlos Pena (’96), who also starred for Wareham and was elected to the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2003. Pena only had a cup of coffee with the Red Sox in ’06, so we’ll Cowboy Up on this one.

The gregarious Millar took the long way to the Majors following his time in Harwich, signing on as a replacement player in ’95 before debuting with the Marlins in ’98. Snatched up by Theo Epstein before venturing to Japan, he hit 25 home runs for the Red Sox in 2003 and was a member of the World Series champions the following year.

August 28, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine (25) during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Yarmouth-Dennis – Bobby Valentine, OF
Boston Red Sox, 2012 (manager)
Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, 1967

Bobby V. may be despised in Boston for his role in the circus that was the 2012 Red Sox season, but he has seen success at many levels of the game, going back to his days growing up in Stamford, CT. At 17, he was one of the youngest players on the Cape for the then-Yarmouth Indians and impressed with a .294 average, three homers, 17 runs batted in, and led the league with 31 runs scored.

Y-D is my hometown team. They play their games at the impeccably manicured Red Wilson Field on the grounds of my high school. While the Sox disappointed during my childhood (missing the playoffs 10 consecutive seasons from 1991 to 2000, they are the closest thing to a Cape League dynasty in the new century, with four league titles since 2004.

Other alums with Boston connections include bespectacled starting pitcher Joe Kelly and Ranaudo, who also pitched for Brewster but was Kelly’s teammate during the summer of 2008.